FA write to Mancini, Redknapp

The Football Association has asked Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini and Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp to explain their comments made about match officials following their respective Boxing Day matches.

Mancini was critical of referee Kevin Friend after City's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, while Redknapp complained about two key decisions made by Chris Foy in the wake of QPR's 2-1 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

Both men have three days to respond to letters sent to them by the FA before the governing body decides whether to issue any misconduct charges against either or both of them.

Mancini expressed his frustration after the defeat at the Stadium of Light that Adam Johnson's winner came during a passage of play in which City felt that one of their players, Pablo Zabaleta, was fouled. After the match, Mancini suggested that "maybe the referee ate too much for Christmas".

Redknapp complained after the West Brom defeat that goalkeeper Rob Green was unfairly nudged as he failed to keep a high ball out of the net and that his side were denied a clear penalty late on when Baggies defender Liam Ridgewell appeared to use his hand to block a cross.

"I asked the linesman how he didn't see that penalty - it was the most blatant handball you could wish to see but he said it was murky down there in that corner and he couldn't make it out," Redknapp said. "Maybe he should go to Specsavers.

"It's just poor refereeing. I had him [referee Chris Foy] at Stoke last year when I was Tottenham manager and he let three penalties go, so what's the point in talking to him? We have had two terrible decisions that have cost us dearly."

Three years ago, Ferguson was fined £20,000 and banned for four matches (two suspended) for questioning the fitness of referee Alan Wiley.